Page 3 of A Tale of Mirth & Magic

Now I was floating on a happy cloud of dessert, warm and cozy by the tavern’s fire.

This seemed to be the main gathering spot in the town.

I’d been there for only four days, renting the smallest room upstairs while I sold off some of my jewelry in the market.

I tended to never stay in one spot for longer than a week or two.

Goddess, though, it was going to be a wrench to leave this bread pudding when the time came.

I groaned again, drawing an amused look from the server. I licked my spoon clean, then grinned wickedly at her. She giggled and tripped back over to the bar.

Looking around, I scanned the half-full tavern. Maybe that cute dwarf from this morning would show up after all. The barkeep lit a few candles as dusk settled. An old fiddler in the corner struck up a mild tune, and I bobbed my head along as I ate my squishy dessert.

In a corner booth, a young woman entertained a toddler by coaxing bubbles from his glass of milk with her magic.

All it took was a simple gesture, her attention mostly fixed on his delight.

The bubbles overflowed the glass, and the woman floated a few over to rest on his nose and chubby cheeks.

Squealing, he popped them all, splattering milk on his face.

They both dissolved into laughter, and I felt a sharp ache in my chest as I watched them.

I should be able to do that. Have that. She made it look so easy—as effortless in her powers as the love in the child’s eyes.

I wrenched my gaze away. Why would I need tricks like blowing silly bubbles? Look at what I could do when necessary—I easily defended myself against that creep today.

A little too easily… I probably broke his wrist , a small voice tried to pipe up, but I squashed it down and took another gulp of cider.

A heavy step in the tavern’s doorway drew my eyes. Clad all in brown, the half-giant from earlier had entered and was making his way to the bar. He carefully stepped around tables and stools—all looking like doll furniture next to him—and murmured an order to the barkeep.

Without a thought, I lurched out of my chair and sailed across the room. Suddenly, I was standing right behind him. Reaching out a hand—my, they serve some strong cider here—I tapped him once on the highest part of his arm that I could reach.

He flinched and whirled around. I put my hands up.

“Only me,” I said lightly, ignoring the split-second thrill of fear I felt as he loomed over me.

“You again,” he said.

“Yes, me! The dashing elf you tried to not-so-nobly save from a tiresome lecher this morning.” I tried my signature sassy smile. No response—his lavender face was stern, a closed window.

Despite myself, I’d thought of him more than once since I left the guildhall.

He hadn’t, I finally acknowledged, deserved my prickliness earlier in the square.

With a full belly and a few drinks now, I could admit that I’d been shaken by my unpleasant encounter with that creep, and I’d probably snapped at this man with a bit too much bite. He had been trying to help after all.

What better way to smooth things over than with some charm and a free drink? Or perhaps something more… diverting.

Reaching past him, I grabbed his tankard. Steadying it with both hands—this thing was practically a barrel!—I took a deep glug of his drink. And made a face.

“Is this… lemon water? You’re drinking lemon water at a pub?” Plunking the tankard back down, I then poked him playfully. “Let me thank you with a proper pint.”

He shifted on his feet. “Thank me?”

“Yes, thank you for your valiant, though needless, attempt to protect my honor from the mean wannabe jewelry thief.” What are you even saying right now, Elikki? Shut up!

“That’s kind, but… unnecessary.” Amusement touched his face, and he relaxed slightly to lean against the bar.

The low timbre of his voice rumbled through me.

I felt a bit lightheaded. Leaning closer, I watched his eyes, wanting him to keep talking, and caught the faint scent of woodsmoke and mint.

Like a fresh fire, it drew me in. Skin prickling pleasantly again, like it had in the market, I felt my pulse begin to race.

“Or… or I have a room upstairs…?” I heard myself say. He stiffened. His brown eyes sparked for a moment, burning into mine, and then shuttered closed. He shifted back again, putting space between us once more. The prickle turned into a burning sting, nettles brushed over my throat and chest.

My brain went into humiliated overdrive. This is horrifying. One of the top-ten most uncomfortable moments in your stupid, idiotic life. Get. Out. Of. Here. Elikki. Now!

He avoided my eyes. I laughed weakly, hiccuped. Then bolted toward the stairs as fast as my legs could take me and ran up. Safely hidden from view, I made it into my tiny room and plopped onto the bed.

No more cider, ever. No more cider and no more sexy half-giants. I buried my head under a pillow and moaned in embarrassment.